Episode 5: "See a Victory" with hosts the Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp and Siobhan Boyd-Nelson

A platinum-certified megachurch anthem promises victory over suffering, but what theology of pain lurks beneath the repetition? We examine Elevation Worship's Billboard hit and ask: does God ordain our struggles?

Ben and Siobhan take on "See a Victory" by Elevation Worship, unpacking both the song's massive commercial success and the theological questions it raises. Born from one of America's largest and wealthiest megachurches, this platinum-certified hit climbed to #5 on Billboard's Christian charts, but what is it teaching us about suffering, victory, and God's role in our pain? We explore the power of repetition in Pentecostal worship traditions and critique the dangerous idea that God wants or ordains human suffering. Can we claim hope for emergence from struggle without attributing our pain to divine design?

In this episode:

• The Elevation Church and Elevation Worship phenomenon: size, wealth, and influence
• The song's commercial success and cultural penetration
• How believers understand victory, struggle, and suffering through this song
• The role of repetition in Christian worship, especially Pentecostal traditions
• Critiquing theologies that suggest God ordains or desires human suffering

Runtime: ~65 minutes

Music by Daniel Roberts - https://pixabay.com/users/blendertimer-9538909/